Wireless synchronized measurements in power distribution networks

ABSTRACT

A system for determining a phase of a power supply coupled to a metering device. The system includes a collection device in electronic communication with a metering device connected to a power distribution network and having a memory and one or more electronic processors. The electronic processors are configured to receive a first beacon signal and measure a phasor in response to receiving the first beacon signal. The phasor is stored in the memory along with an identification value associated with the device that transmitted the first beacon signal and a first time. The electronic processors receive a second beacon signal, and extract data from the request message. The electronic processors determine whether the extracted time matches the first time and based on determining that the extracted time matches the first time stored in the memory, calculate a phase by comparing the reference phasor data to the stored phasor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/112,548, filed Dec. 4, 2020, which claimspriority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/944,010, filed Dec. 5, 2019. The contents of both are incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to wireless synchronizationsystems and methods for measuring phasors in power distributionnetworks.

BACKGROUND

Conventional phasor measurement units (PMUs) generally use wiredconnections such as power line communication (PLC) to communicatebetween phasor measurement devices and the data recorders. Typically, asynchronization signal may be communicated from the data recorders tothe phasor measurement devices, which may then transmit a signal backvia the PLC system to allow for relative phases to be calculated.However, this can result in a heavy burden being placed on thecommunication network. Further, it is cumbersome to apply this sort ofarchitecture to the transmission side due to the high cost of equipmentthat is required to handle the high voltage levels on the transmissionnetwork.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a system for determining a phase of a powersource coupled to a metering device is described. The system includes anumber of collection devices, each of the collection devices inelectronic communication with a metering device connected to a powerdistribution network and having a memory and one or more electronicprocessors. The electronic processors are configured to receive a firstbeacon signal and measure a phasor of a power source coupled to themetering device in response to receiving the first beacon signal. Theelectronic processors are further configured to store the measuredphasor, an identification value associated with the device thattransmitted the first beacon signal, and a first time in the memory. Theelectronic processors are also configured to receive a second beaconsignal, the second beacon signal comprising a request message, and toextract data from the request message, wherein the extracted dataincludes a time data value and a reference phasor value. The electronicprocessors are further configured to determine whether the extractedtime data value matches the first time stored in memory, and based ondetermining that the extracted time matches the first time stored in thememory, the electronic processors are configured to calculate a phase bycomparing the reference phasor value to the stored measured phasor.

According to another aspect, a system is provided for determining aphase of a power supply coupled to a metering device connected to apower distribution network. The system includes a number of collectiondevice, wherein each of the collection devices are in electroniccommunication with a metering device connected to a power distributionnetwork. The collection devices have a memory and one or more electronicprocessors. The electronic processors are configured to receive a firstbeacon signal, measure a phasor based on receiving the first beaconsignal, and store the phasor in the memory along with an identificationvalue associated with the device that transmitted the first beaconsignal and a first time. The electronic processors are furtherconfigured to receive a second beacon signal, wherein the second beaconsignal includes a request message. The electronic processors are furtherconfigured to extract data from the request message, wherein theextracted data includes a time data value. The electronic processors arefurther configured to determine if the extracted time matches the firsttime stored in the memory, and, based on determining that the extractedtime matches the first time stored in the memory, transmit a responsedata packet comprising the stored phasor, the stored identificationvalue, and the first time to a data collection unit.

According to another aspect, a method for determining a phase of a powersupply coupled to a metering device is described. A first collectiondevice is in electronic communication with the metering device, andincludes a memory and one or more electronic processors. The methodincludes receiving a first beacon signal at the first collection device,and measuring, via the collection device, a phasor of a power signal atthe metering device in response to receiving the first beacon signal.The method also includes storing the measured phasor, a first time, andan identification value associated with the device that transmitted thefirst beacon signal in the memory. The method also includes receiving asecond beacon signal at the first collection device, and extracting datafrom the request message by the first collection device. The extracteddata includes a time data value and a reference phasor value. The methodalso includes determining, by the first collection device, whether theextracted time data value matches the first time stored in the memory,and calculating, by the first collection device, the phase of the powerline connected to the metering device by comparing the reference phasordata to the stored measured phasor.

Other aspects of the technology will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of aphasor measurement system, according to the description.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of aphasor measurement system, according to the description.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of thesynchronizer devices of FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to the description.

FIG. 4 is block diagram illustrating one exemplary embodiment of thesensor module devices of FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to some embodiments,according to the description.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a methodfor determining phase information at a collection device, according tothe description.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating one exemplary embodiment of a methodfor determining phase information for a collection device at a centralhost computing device, according to the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the application are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the application is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and the arrangement of components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the followingdrawings. The application is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example synchronized phasor (i.e., synchrophasor)measurement system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of thedisclosure. The synchronized phasor measurement system 100 include apower distribution network 104 and metering devices 106. The system 100may further include one or more data collection units (“DCU”) 108. Themetering devices 106 may be mechanically, electrically, and/orcommunicatively connected to aspects of the power distribution network104. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the metering devices 106 may beconnected to transformers (e.g., distribution transformers that stepdown medium voltage to low voltage). The metering devices 106 may beresidential metering devices, commercial metering devices, industrialmetering devices, etc. The DCUs 108 may be wirelessly connected to themetering devices 106 to facilitate communication between the DCUs 108and the metering devices 106. For example, a DCU 108 may be connected toone or more metering devices using wireless protocols, such as cellular(e.g. 3G, 4G, LTE, CDMA, etc.), RF, or other applicable wirelessprotocols.

In one embodiment, the power distribution network 104 comprisesdistribution lines each adapted to carry electric power having differentwiring phases. For example, a distribution line 104-A may be adapted tocarry electric power having Phase A to one or more metering devices106-A, a distribution line 104-B may be adapted to carry electric powerhaving Phase B to one or more metering devices 106-B, and a distributionline 104-C may be adapted to carry electric power having Phase C to oneor more metering devices 106-C. In one exemplary embodiment,distribution lines of the power distribution network 104 may carryelectric power having a combination of Phase A, Phase B, and/or Phase Cto metering devices 106-C. For example, when the system includes delta-Yand/or Y-delta transformers the phases of the outputs of thesetransformers will not be pure Phase A, Phase B, or Phase C, but insteadmay be a combination of Phase A, Phase B, and/or Phase C.

The metering devices 106 may be placed on the power distribution network104 wherever synchronous phasor measurements are to be made. In someembodiments, the metering devices 106 may include a collection devicecapable of wirelessly communicating with one or more DCUs 108. In someembodiments, the DCUs 108 are placed at multiple locations within thesystem 100 to facilitate communication with the metering devices 106 asneeded. In some embodiments, the DCUs 108 may be located every 5-10miles to ensure communication with the metering devices 106. In someexamples, the DCUs 108 may be mounted to power line poles at specifiedintervals to ensure proper coverage.

Turning now to FIG. 2 , a network diagram of a power distributionequipment communication network 200 is shown, according to someembodiments. As shown in FIG. 1 a number of DCUs 202 are shown to be inwireless communication with a number of sensor modules 204. In oneembodiment, the DCUs 202 are similar to the DCUs 108, described above.The sensor modules 204 are configured to receive a communication fromthe DCUs 202 and subsequently transmit a return message to the DCU 202,as will be described in more detail below. It is understood that theterm sensor modules can be used interchangeably with the term collectiondevice, as used herein. In one embodiment, the sensor modules 204 arecoupled to a meter, such as meters 106 described above. The sensormodules 204 may be configured to determine phase data or other waveformdata via the coupled meters (not shown). While the sensor modules 204are generally described as being coupled to meters, it is contemplatedthat the sensor modules 204 may be integrated into the meters.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the DCUs 202 are also shown as in communicationwith a network 206. The network 206 may be a cloud-based orInternet-based network. However, other network types, such as local areanetworks (LAN), are also contemplated. In one embodiment, the DCUs 202are in wireless communication with the network 206. However, in someembodiments, the DCUs 202 communicate with the network 206 via a wiredconnection, as will be described in more detail below. In oneembodiment, the network 206 is configured to be a data storage network.In other embodiments, the network 206 is configured to perform one ormore functions, such as determining one or more reference phasor valuesand/or phasor differences across the distribution system.

As further shown in FIG. 2 , each DCU 202 may be in communication withone or more sensor modules 204. Furthermore, a single sensor module 204may be in communication with one or more DCUs 202. For example, sensormodule 204-C may be in communication with both DCU 202-A and DCU 202-B;sensor module 204-E may be in communication with both DCU 202-B and DCU202-C; and sensor module 204-G may be in communication with DCU 202-Cand 202-D. In one embodiment, the DCUs 202 and the sensor modules 204communicate via a radio frequency (RF) communication protocol, althoughother wireless communication protocols are also considered. The messagessent between the DCUs 202 and the sensor modules 204 may be sent asgeneral broadcasts using the RF communication protocol such that theymay be received by any DCU 202 and/or sensor module 204 within range.Thus, different sensor modules 204 may communicate with different DCUs202 based on various conditions affecting the RF signal, such asdistance, weather, obstructions, atmospheric conditions, etc.

Turning now to FIG. 3 , a block diagram of a DCU 202 is shown, accordingto some embodiments. The DCU 202 may be a standalone device, or may be apart of one or more devices, such as power meters 106, switchgear, etc.As shown in FIG. 3 , the DCU 202 includes a processing circuit 302, acommunication interface 304, and an input/output (I/O) interface 306.The processing circuit 302 includes an electronic processor 308 and amemory 310. The processing circuit 302 may be communicably connected toone or more of the communication interface 304 and the I/O interface306. The electronic processor 308 may be implemented as a programmablemicroprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), oneor more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), a group of processingcomponents, or with other suitable electronic processing components.

The memory 310 (for example, a non-transitory, computer-readable medium)includes one or more devices (for example, RAM, ROM, flash memory, harddisk storage, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completingor facilitating the various processes, layers, and modules describedherein. The memory 310 may include database components, object codecomponents, script components, or other types of code and informationfor supporting the various activities and information structuredescribed in the present application. According to one example, thememory 310 is communicably connected to the electronic processor 308 viathe processing circuit 302 and may include computer code for executing(for example, by the processing circuit 302 and/or the electronicprocessor 308) one or more processes described herein.

The communication interface 304 is configured to facilitatecommunication between the DCU 202 and one or more external devices orsystems, such a sensor module 204 or the network 206. The communicationinterface 304 may be, or include, wireless communication interfaces (forexample, antennas, transmitters, receivers, transceivers, etc.) forconducting data communications between the DCU 202 and one or moreexternal devices, such as the sensor modules 204 and/or the network 206.In some embodiments, the communication interface 304 utilizes aproprietary protocol for communicating with the sensor modules 204and/or network 206. For example, the proprietary protocol may be anRF-based protocol configured to provide efficient and effectivecommunication between the DCU 202 and other devices. In otherembodiments, other wireless communication protocols may also be used,such as cellular (3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, CDMA, etc.), Wi-Fi, LoRa, LoRaWAN,Z-wave, Thread, and/or any other applicable wireless communicationprotocol.

The I/O module 306 may be configured to interface directly with one ormore devices, such as a power supply, a power monitor, etc. In oneembodiment, the I/O module may utilize general purpose I/O (GPIO) ports,analog inputs, digital inputs, etc.

As described above, the memory 310 may be configured to store variousprocesses, layers, and modules, which may be executed by the electronicprocessor 308 and/or the processing circuit 302. In one embodiment, thememory 310 includes a pulse generation circuit 312. The pulse generationcircuit 312 is adapted to generate a synchronization pulse forestablishing a common time reference between DCU 202 and one or moresensor modules 204. In one embodiment, the synchronization pulse istransmitted via the communication interface 304, such as via thewireless communication protocols described above.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , a block diagram of a sensor module 204 is shown,according to some embodiments. The sensor module 204 may be a standalonedevice, or may be a part of one or more devices, such as a power meter.As shown in FIG. 4 , the sensor module 204 includes a processing circuit402, a communication interface 404, and an input/output (I/O) interface406. The processing circuit 402 includes an electronic processor 408 anda memory 410. The processing circuit 402 may be communicably connectedto one or more of the communication interface 404 and the I/O interface406. The electronic processor 408 may be implemented as a programmablemicroprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), oneor more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), a group of processingcomponents, or with other suitable electronic processing components.

The memory 410 (for example, a non-transitory, computer-readable medium)includes one or more devices (for example, RAM, ROM, flash memory, harddisk storage, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completingor facilitating the various processes, layers, and modules describedherein. The memory 410 may include database components, object codecomponents, script components, or other types of code and informationfor supporting the various activities and information structuredescribed in the present application. According to one example, thememory 410 is communicably connected to the electronic processor 408 viathe processing circuit 402 and may include computer code for executing(for example, by the processing circuit 402 and/or the electronicprocessor 408) one or more processes described herein.

The communication interface 404 is configured to facilitatecommunication between the sensor module 204 and one or more externaldevices or systems, such a DCU 202. The communication interface 404 maybe or include wireless communication interfaces (for example, antennas,transmitters, receivers, transceivers, etc.) for conducting datacommunications between the sensor module 204 and one or more externaldevices, such as the DCUs 202. In some embodiments, the communicationinterface 404 utilizes a proprietary protocol for communicating with theDCUs 202. For example, the proprietary protocol may be an RF-basedprotocol configured to provide efficient and effective communicationbetween the DCUs 202 or other devices. In other embodiments, otherwireless communication protocols may also be used, such as cellular (3G,4G, 5G, LTE, CDMA, etc.), Wi-Fi, LoRa, LoRaWAN, Z-wave, Thread, and/orany other applicable wireless communication protocol.

The I/O interface 406 may be configured to interface directly with oneor more devices, such as a power supply, a meter, etc. In oneembodiment, the I/O interface 406 may utilize general purpose I/O (GPIO)ports, analog inputs, digital inputs, etc.

As described above, the memory 410 may be configured to store variousprocesses, layers, and modules, which may be executed by the electronicprocessor 408 and/or the processing circuit 402. In one embodiment, thememory 410 includes a beacon response circuit 412. The beacon responsecircuit 412 is adapted to generate a response beacon for providing aresponse to an interrogation beacon from one or more DCUs 202. Asdescribed in more detail below, the beacon response may receive a timestamp of when an interrogation beacon was received. The beacon responsemay further include a phase of a sinusoid, such as a reference sinusoid,at the time the interrogation beacon was received. In one embodiment,the response beacon is transmitted using the communication interface404, such as via the wireless communication protocols described above.The memory 410 may further include a phasor calculation circuit 413. Thephasor calculation circuit 413 may be configured to determine variousphasor data of the distribution network, such as a reference phasor aswell as variations in phasors across the distribution network, as willbe described in more detail below.

The memory 410 further includes a phase monitoring circuit 414. Thephase monitoring circuit 414 may be configured to determine a phase at ameter associated with the sensor module 204, as will be described inmore detail below.

Turning now to FIG. 5 , a process for determining phasor data across adistribution network at the metering devices is shown, according to someembodiments. Determining phasor data across a distribution network mayallow for the integrity of the distribution network to be verified orvalidated and may provide an indication when there are issues on thedistribution network, which could indicate a risk of power loss on thenetwork. Further, by determining phasor data across the distributionnetwork, a loading of each phases (e.g. A, B, C) on the network may beevaluated to determine if there are imbalances in the loading of thedistribution network. Also, by determining phasor data across thenetwork, other system issues, such as failing system components, failingtransformers, failing cables, floating neutrals, and other conditionsmay be detected and tracked. Additionally, the information provided tothe utility by the phasor data can allow for more precise control ofnetwork components, such as capacitor banks, voltage regulators, anddistribution of automation across a smart grid.

In one embodiment, the process 500 is performed by a combination ofDCUs, such as the DCUs 202 and a sensor module, such as sensor module204. However, in other embodiments, the process 500 may be performed viaother components within the distribution network. Further, it iscontemplated that the process 500 may be performed by multiple DCUs 202within the distribution system.

At process block 502, the DCU 202 transmits a first beacon signal thatis received by one or more sensor modules 204. At process block 504, theDCU 202 receives a beacon response from a reference unit. In oneembodiment, a reference unit is a device (e.g. meter/sensor module) thathas a known phase. In some embodiments, the phase may be noted duringinstallation of the reference unit, and a flag or other identifier maybe set within the reference unit such that it can broadcast the phase itis connected to when transmitting data. In some embodiments, there maybe many different references devices throughout a power network, suchthat each of the phases (A, B, C) has multiple associated referencedevices. Upon receiving the beacon response from at least one referenceunit, the DCU 202 then transmits a second beacon containing the receivedreference data from the reference unit.

In some embodiments, the reference unit may be determined via analgorithm of executed by a central computer, such as network 206. Inthis approach, a small sample of the total number of sensor modules 204that received the first beacon signal transmit their measured phasorsback to the DCU 202. The DCU 202 may then send the received phasors tothe network 206. The network 206 may then use one or more algorithms todetermine what the phase angle would be at an ideal unit (which may notactually exist) that is attached to a nominal phase. This determinedvalue is then used as the reference data for transmission in the secondbeacon. In one example, the network 206 may transmit the reference datato the DCU 202 for use in generating the second beacon, as describedabove.

At process block 508, a sensor module 204 receives the first beacon. Itis understood that multiple sensor modules 204 may receive the firstbeacon, and therefore each sensor module 204 that receives thesubsequent signal would be understood to perform the followingfunctions. Upon receiving the first beacon the sensor module 204measures a phasor at that instant at process block 510. At process block512, the sensor module 204 stores the measured phasor in the memory ofthe sensor module 204, along with the time the beacon signal wasreceived and an identification value of the DCU that transmitted thefirst beacon signal.

The sensor module 204 then receives the second beacon containing thereference data at process block 514. Upon receiving the second beaconsignal, the sensor module 204 extracts message data from the secondbeacon signal (if any) at process block 516. Extracted message data mayinclude reference data, time associated with the reference data (e.g.time reference data was measured), identification (ID) of the DCUtransmitting the message, etc. Upon extracting the message data, thesensor module 204 determines whether the message data informationcorresponds to data stored in the memory of the sensor module 204, atprocess block 518. For example, the sensor module 204 may determine ifthe time and ID of the DCU in the message match the time and ID of theDCU associated with the first beacon signal received by the sensormodule 204 at process block 508.

In response to determining that the message received in the secondbeacon signal included the same time and DCU ID of a previous beacon(e.g. the first beacon signal), the sensor module 204 calculates a phaseof the power line connected to the sensor module 204 and/or a meterassociated with the sensor module 204 at process block 520. In oneembodiment, the sensor module 204 calculates the phase by subtractingthe reference phasor received in the second beacon from the phasormeasured by the sensor module 204 at the time the first beacon wasreceived in process block 508 to determine a phase angle difference.Accordingly, the sensor module 204 compares the phasor measured uponreceipt of the first beacon signal and stored in the memory 310 of thesensor module 204, with the reference phasor that was measured at thesame time. This functionality may be necessary as a sensor module 204may be in communication with one or more DCUs within the network, asillustrated above. Thus, by comparing the reference phasor only withdata associated with the sensor module 204 receiving the same beaconsignal as the reference device, it is ensured that the sensor module 204is comparing similar data. The sensor module 204 may then determine thephase (e.g. the phase the connector is coupled to) in response to thedifference between the reference phasor and the measured phasor beingdetermined to be less than a predetermined value. For example, thepredetermined value may be a phase angle difference of plus-or-minus 30degrees. However, phase angle differences of less than plus-or-minus 30degrees or greater than plus-or-minus 30 degrees are also contemplated.Additionally, in some examples, other predetermined values may be usedother than phase angle difference values. In response to determiningthat the message received in the second beacon signal does not include atime and DCU ID of a previously received beacon, the sensor module 204will simply disregard the message, and return to process block 510.

In some embodiments, the sensor module 204 may transmit the determinephase data to one of more DCUs 202. In other embodiments, the sensormodules 204 may provide the data to one or more other devices, such as anetwork system, such as network 206.

Turning now to FIG. 6 , a process 600 for determining phase informationof one or more metering devices at a network is shown, according to someembodiments. In contrast to the process 500 described above, process 600utilizes a centralized computing system, such as a server or cloud-basedsystem (e.g. network 206), to determine the phase of a given meteringdevice as opposed to the metering device and/or sensor module associatedwith the metering device performing the determination.

At process block 602, a DCU 202 transmits a first beacon that isreceived by one or more sensor modules 204. At process block 604, asensor module 204 receives the first beacon. It is understood thatmultiple sensor modules 204 may receive the first beacon. Upon receivingthe first beacon the sensor module 204 measures a phasor at that instantat process block 606. At process block 608, the sensor module 204 storesthe measured phasor in the memory 310 of the sensor module 204, alongwith the time the beacon signal was received and an identification valueof the DCU that transmitted the first beacon signal.

At process block 610 the DCU 202 transmits a second beacon including arequest to the sensor modules 204. In one embodiment, the request is aninstruction to provide stored phasor data associated with a previouslytransmitted beacon, such as the first beacon. In other embodiments, therequest may request phasor data associated with a DCU ID and a time,wherein the DCU ID and time correspond to a previously transmittedbeacon, such as the first beacon. The sensor module 204 receives thebeacon at process block 612 and transmits the requested phasor data ifavailable. For example, the sensor module 204 may determine if the timeand DCU ID in the request match the time and DCU ID associated with thefirst beacon (or any other previously received beacons) received by thesensor module 204. In response to determining that the sensor module 204has no stored phasor data corresponding to the time and DCU ID in therequest, the sensor module 204 may ignore the request. In otherexamples, the sensor module 204 may transmit a response to the DCU thatthe sensor module 204 does not have any stored phasor data correspondingto the time and DCU ID in the request.

At process block 614, the DCU 202 receives the requested phasor datafrom one or more sensor modules 204. In one embodiment, the requestedphasor data further includes the time the phasor was measured, as wellas an identification of the transmitting sensor module 204. The DCU 202then forwards the received phasor data to a host device (e.g. server orcloud-based computing system), which then determines a phase for each ofthe sensor modules 204 that transmitted the phasor data. For example,the host device may use a similar method to determine a phase of thesensor module 204 using reference data, as described above. However, inother embodiments, the host device may use other methods to determinephase data for the sensor modules 204. In some embodiments, the hostdevice may compare the phasor data provided to previous phasor data fromthe sensor modules 204 to determine if there is an issue or a changeindicating a fault or problem in the power distribution network.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for determining a phase of a powersource, the system comprising: a collection device in electroniccommunication with a metering device associated with the power sourceand having a memory and one or more electronic processors configured to:receive a first beacon signal at a first time; measure a phasor of apower source coupled to the metering device in response to receiving thefirst beacon signal at the first time; receive a second beacon signalincluding a second time and a reference phasor value; determine whetherthe second time matches the first time; and calculate a phase of thepower source by comparing the reference phasor value to the storedmeasured phasor in response to determining that the second time matchesthe first time.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a datacollection unit, the data collection unit comprising a memory and one ormore processors, the one or more processors configured to: transmit thefirst beacon signal; receive a beacon response signal from a referencecollection device and extract the reference phasor value from thereceived beacon response; and transmit the second beacon signal.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the second time is a time that the datacollection unit transmits the first beacon signal.
 4. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the first beacon signal and the second beacon signalare transmitted using a wireless communication protocol.
 5. The systemof claim 4, wherein the wireless communication at least one selectedfrom the group of cellular communication, Wi-Fi, and LoRa.
 6. The systemof claim 1, wherein the first time is the time the first beacon signalis received at the collection device.
 7. The system of claim 1, whereinthe second beacon signal further includes an identification of a devicethat transmitted the second beacon signal.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein the one or more electronic processors are configured tocalculate the phase by determining whether a phase angle differencebetween the reference phasor and the measured phasor exceeds apredetermined threshold.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein thepredetermined threshold is plus/minus 30 degrees.
 10. A system fordetermining a phase of a power supply coupled to a metering deviceconnected to a power distribution network, the system comprising: acollection device in electronic communication with a metering deviceconnected to a power distribution network and having a memory and one ormore electronic processors configured to: receive a first beacon signalat a first time and including a first identification data of the devicethat transmitted the first beacon signal; measure a phasor of a powersource coupled to the metering device in response to receiving the firstbeacon signal; receive a second beacon signal including a second time;determine whether the second time matches the first time; and based ondetermining that the second time matches the first time stored in thememory, transmit a response message including the measured phasor, thereceived identification value, and the first time.
 11. The system ofclaim 10, further comprising: a data collection unit, comprising amemory and one or more processors, wherein the one or more processorsare configured to: transmit the first beacon signal; transmit the secondbeacon signal; receive the response message; and transmit the responsemessage to a host device.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the hostdevice is a server-based computing system.
 13. The system of claim 11,wherein the second time is a time that the data collection unittransmitted the first beacon signal.
 14. The system of claim 10, whereinthe first time is the time the first beacon signal was received by thecollection device.
 15. The system of claim 10, wherein the second beaconsignal further includes a second identification data associated with adevice that transmitted the second beacon signal.
 16. A method fordetermining a phase of a power supply coupled to a metering device,wherein a first collection device is in electronic communication withthe metering device, and incudes a memory and one or more electronicprocessors, the method comprising: receiving a first beacon signal atthe first collection device at a first time; measuring, via the firstcollection device, a phasor of a power signal at the metering device inresponse to receiving the first beacon signal; receiving a second beaconsignal at the first collection device, wherein the second beacon signalincludes a second time and a reference phasor value; determining, by thefirst collection device, whether the second time matches the first time;and calculating, by the first collection device, a phase of the powersource connected to the metering device by comparing the referencephasor value to the measured phasor.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising: transmitting the first beacon signal by a data collectionunit; receiving, at the data collection unit, a beacon response signalfrom a reference collection device and extracting the reference phasorvalue from the received beacon response; and transmitting the secondbeacon signal.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second time is atime that the data collection unit transmitted the first beacon signal.19. The method of claim 16, wherein the first time is the time the firstbeacon signal was received at the first collection device.
 20. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the second beacon signal further comprises asecond identification value of a device that transmitted the secondbeacon signal.